Transport for Wales commits to increasing its use of Welsh
Transport for Wales (TfW) has committed to expanding its use of Welsh following a meeting with the campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith(The Welsh Language Society).
Among the issues raised by the group were complaints about the lack of Welsh on information boards and a shortage of Welsh speaking staff.
During a meeting on Thursday, TfW outlined a timetable to expand the company’s use of Welsh in the near future.
Among the commitments, the rail operator promised an increase in announcements on trains and stations in Welsh, the introduction of a new translating software for the Transport for Wales app and providing Welsh lessons and further encouraging the use of Welsh by staff.
Standards
Sian Howys, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s Language Rights Group, said: “It became clear in the meeting that Transport for Wales intends to take steps to increase its provision of Welsh, but that the Welsh Government needs to set standards for the transport industry as a whole.
“There has been great delay in setting Standards on new bodies, including the transport sector, therefore we will be pressuring Jeremy Miles, the Welsh Language Minister, to set those Standards soon.
“Even though Transport for Wales officials have said that some of the complaints made about Welsh Language services are beyond that expected of them through Standards, the transport service can provide greater provision of its own volition.
“The number of complaints that have come to light about Transport for Wales’ Welsh Language services therefore emphasise the need to set Standards on the transport sector as soon as possible.”
Cymdeithas yr Iaith says it will be monitoring the situation to ensure that Transport for Wales keep to the commitments and the given timeline and that the Welsh Government implement Standards on transport companies as soon as possible.
A further meeting with Transport for Wales will also be organised in the future to discuss the progress made.
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…also committed to not running trains, collecting money via unfair fines from vulnerable people and making excuses ….
Its causes me great anger to see the name of my country and the name other people use for my country plastered across an organisation that couldn’t organise a chimp’s tea party without setting fire to its own knickers.
From this article anybody would think that the Welsh Language is under represented. I use Heath High Level station in Cardiff and platform announcements are now being given in Welsh no English. Yes you read it correctly, so now I haven’t a clue what’s going on. There is no part of the TFW train system that Welsh is not included so what’s us this article on about. While I am at it, I object to my country of Wales being only referred to in Welsh. The government could not care less about me and my country. I am approaching my… Read more »
Suggest you take a breath and just take a peep at the rest of Wales outside metro 🚇 Cardiff my friend …. The 85 per cent of us not lucky enough to reside in our capital can offer a less narrow experience……
My own town of Prestatyn for one ☝️ has fairly new electronic info boards – but alas not the choice you enjoy at Health High Level.
Can we count on your support for change ? 🤞🏽
Prestatyn Citizen
I’m really sorry to hear about you being inconvenienced by Europe’s oldest language at Heath High Level Station!
I live alongside The Heart of Wales line and frequently when you see the information board Train services are cancelled.At Heath High Level you don’t have to wait long hours for the next available service.
Citizen of Wales outside Cardiff.
Perhaps what TFW really need to concentrate on is not Public Relations but running trains in a manner that actually meets the level of demand. Why is it always standing room only on the West Wales line and always random cancellations on the heart of Wales line. Lets get the service sorted out and then there will be time for expanding the use of Cymraig.
Why not do both at the same time? Perfectly possible, and not rocket science. I for one am sick and tired of the same lame excuses for lacklustre provision of services through Cymraeg. It’s been a full 30 years since the passing of the Welsh Language Act 1993, so about time this kind of situation didn’t occur. Quite simply Cymraeg/English bilingualism should be a standard expectation from both the public and the private sector.
If Canada can do it, so can Cymru.